Defensive debacles aside, Bulls adeptly juggle lineups

Despite blowout loss, club plugging away fairly well at adjustments to multiple injuries

February 08, 2013|By K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune reporter

SALT LAKE CITY — Not that the Bulls have much practice dissecting 32-point defeats — or that Tom Thibodeau ever has watched film of a 128-point defensive debacle — but Friday night's end to a season-high, six-game trip brought a philosophic rather than punitive reaction.

Translated: What happens in Denver stays in Denver.

One night after the worst loss of the Thibodeau era, the Bulls faced another hot home team in the Jazz, who had won 11 of 12 at Energy Solutions Arena entering Friday's late tipoff. The Bulls did so with a clear conscience, not to mention clear direction after an afternoon film session that looked forward.

"Obviously we didn't play well (in Denver,)" Thibodeau said. "But in looking at the trip and trying to analyze where we are as a team, we've been in position to win (almost) every game. Sometimes you take a punch and you have to be ready to get up and deliver another one. I want them to put that one behind and play better."

To do so requires a return to the defensive dedication that has so defined the Bulls under Thibodeau. Despite the hiccups at Denver and Indiana in which they allowed an average of 119.5 points, the Bulls entered Friday ranked third in average points allowed and third in opponents' field-goal percentage.

Joakim Noah said he felt no aftereffects from returning against the Nuggets after missing the previous three games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Against the Jazz, the Bulls also returned Marco Belinelli from missing one game with a rolled right ankle.

This is the kind of depth and continuity the Bulls need to return to form after going 2-3 in the first five games of this trip.

"On this trip, it has been a lot of moving parts," Thibodeau said. "The Milwaukee game, Carlos (Boozer) was out. We went to Brooklyn and we were down Carlos and Kirk (Hinrich) and Jo. Then you get Jo back and Carlos back but you lose Marco. That being said, we have to have discipline. Whoever has to go in there, you have to do your job. When we take shortcuts, the result isn't going to be good."

The Nuggets represented one of those athletic, fast-breaking teams that typically give the Bulls fits, like the Clippers and Rockets did earlier this season. The Jazz play a more physical, half court-oriented game built on the depth and size of its front line of Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter.

Jefferson said he typically doesn't watch live games on his off nights, opting for film later. But he caught the Bulls' debacle at Denver and still had this to say.

"They're a defensive-minded team," Jefferson said. "The job that that coach has done with that team without their star player is amazing."

That star player, Derrick Rose, sank two of three 3-pointers left-handed during his pregame warm-ups. But he's not coming back for a bit, so the Bulls need to get back to defense.